Pretzel, the Blind, 3-Legged Cat Inspires Thousands with Recovery Story

Pretzel the blind, three-legged cat, got her name because of her twisted hind legs, but she doesn’t let it slow her down!

Vet tech Carmen Bernard discovered the Siamese kitten while driving down a highway outside of Jacksonville, FL. Bernard was sure that Pretzel had been hit by a car, as her hind legs were noticeably distorted.

However, a visit to the veterinarian’s office revealed that her twisted legs were due to a serious birth defect, rather than an accident. X-rays confirmed that the cat’s right leg was backwards and her kneecap was on the back of her leg. Her left leg was also deformed, but not as severely as her right.

These deformities caused a significant amount of pain, and made it difficult for Pretzel to walk. To make matters worse, vets discovered that the kitten was irreversibly blind.

Such serious medical issues would make the kitten almost certainly un-adoptable.

The Choice to Fight

“The vet said, you have two choices: You can either stick in this for the long haul or you can put her to sleep,” Bernard told television station WXJT. “And I had to give her a chance.”

Bernard decided that she would commit herself to saving this little kitten, and made a Facebook page dedicated to their journey together. Pretzel’s story spread like wildfire, and soon their page had an international following. Donations to help save Pretzel’s legs began pouring in, and Bernard decided to seek help from the doctors at the University of Florida.

Sadly, after several surgeries to repair her right leg, the wound became infected and doctors were forced to amputate in order to save Pretzel’s life.

Pretzel doesn’t mind her missing leg! Photo via Facebook.

Despite losing a leg, Pretzel never lost her enduring spirit. She continues to play, jump and cuddle like any other cat — inspiring thousands of fans by sharing her journey. In fact, Bernard was able to raise $4,500 for an animal shelter specializing in hard to place pets.

The Family That Heals Together

Perhaps more incredible than Pretzel’s journey of recovery is her owner’s commitment to helping what she calls “scratch and dent” animals. Along with taking care of Pretzel, Carmen Bernard and her family have two dogs — one of them blind — and are currently fostering Trooper, a Pit Bull puppy suffering from a sever case of mange.

We have a small business in an industrial area, and feral or stray cats are everywhere. We feed, TNR, and adopt out kittens and keep some who want to make their home with us as pets. One day when we were outside feeding and loving our cats, about 8 at the time, a little tortie kitty was sitting and watching us from across the street. So we started picking up the cats, petting them, and talking to her, saying hi kitty! While we kept showing our cats kitty loves, she watched. It was obvious she was interested in how much the cats seemed to be enjoying our love. The next morning, at breakfast, one of our employees was feeding the cats, and this little tortie came up and started to eat! Kim, (employee) started petting her while she ate. She finished and slowly came to the door and walked in, looking around. She decided she wanted to be a pet, so we named her Katie, and she slept indoors from there on. Two weeks later, she started vomiting every time she ate, and the weight just fell off her, and she was so small to begin with. She was about 6 months old. I took her to our vet where she was scheduled to be spayed. The doctor took an x-Ray and said there was an obstruction in her intestines and needed surgery. It was going to cost $2000.00 dollars. He said, “remember, she is just a stray cat.” I started to cry and said, “that doesn’t matter to us, it means nothing. If we can help her, we will”. I called my husband and asked him to please let her have the surgery, and he said, of course. The obstruction was hard, strong plastic from a piece of salami. She apparently ate whatever was there, and the plastic became trapped in her intestines and hardened into a blockage. He also said when he removed her uterus, it literally fell apart in his hands, it was so fragile. Well, happy to say 14 years later, Katie is the matriarch of the family of 4 indoor cats, and 2 outside. All boys. She used to be the 3rd ranked female when she came in, and constantly hassled BC, our #2 female calico to try and usurp her, but sadly BC passed away at 11 years old from eating a poisoned rat. Katie is happy, spends her days sleeping in our office. She can do anything she wants, and because she is no. 1, we do anything to make her happy. She is slowing down and may not be with us too much longer. The first original family have all passed in a matter of a year, and Katie is all that is left. Her new family of 5 boys, respect her, and leave her alone. If she doesn’t like a newcomer, they have to stay outside, but so far, she accepts them. She is so sweet, and such a pet. She loves kisses and kitty rubs, and getting her hair brushed. We call her Katie Coo Coo, because when she purrs, she sounds like a cooing pigeon. She is such a blessing, and saving her is one of the greatest joys of our life.